Audi A4 Quattro 1.8T (2002 - current model)?
- Thread starter Bud
- Start date
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Bud
Bionic Poster
In addition to the Carfax... I'll find out which dealership performed any routine maintenance/repairs... and call them up.
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
Never a bad idea; however, many dealers in our modern day and age simply won't remember any particular car, let alone a client. And may not be able to offer you much service history, even though their dealer network computer system should catalogue everything that had been done (in their service network system) on a particular car, by VIN number. Dealers used to know customers and cars much better. Now they seem too busy to care, in my experience.
If the vendor/seller is amenable to it, a pre-purchase inspection by a highly-regarded, independent (non-dealer) shop familiar with the marque and model is money very well spent, and could save you thousands later.
The A4 is a well engineered, but dense (meaning lots of sophisticated stuff crammed into a fairly small product) car; there is surprisingly much to go wrong, and much of it is expensive to troubleshoot and put right. But a well-maintained specimen can offer over 200k miles of stylish, comfortable, and sporty motoring.
Bud
Bionic Poster
I found out more about the car... original owner moved from CA when the vehicle had 28k miles. It just passed its emission tests with no issues. Timing belt replaced before 75K... no issues with the turbocharger (which may already have been replaced)
I called the Audi dealership and they stated they can give my a repair/maintenance history on the car and am currently waiting for their return call.
Seller repeated the car is flawless and appears new (which is does based on the pics).
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
Sounds potentially good... (with my other prior comments borne in mind). Also bear in mind that if you live in California, in an air district basin, the car must pass YOUR home area's smog test standard for registration, not the seller's (if in a non-impact zone, or another state).
Good luck!!!
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mary fierce
Banned
Why does someone who lives in San Diego want four wheel drive unless it's to go off road -- which an Audi is not made for? 4WD is heavier, more mechanically complex, less fuel efficient, poorer braking (due to extra weight).
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
AWD has its advantages in dry and rain traction, as well. And braking is a function of tire friction and brake swept area, not necessarily vehicle weight.
Bud
Bionic Poster
I simply don't like the FWD Audi's.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
I'd bet a lot of those deaths in China are pedestrians and bicyclists since the cities are so crowded and the roads are shared with so many pedestrians and bicycles. Also, I'm not sure if it's still the case today, but many years ago, the cars were not allowed to turn on their headlights at night as they could blind oncoming bicyclists. Well, that just meant people drove around in the dark and hit a lot of things. Also, cars used to be made and imported without seat belts or had them removed on purpose. I used to think this was a form of Chinese population control as they are so overpopulated that they wanted more people to die in car accidents.
BTW, nowadays, China has the biggest car market in the world, even bigger than the U.S.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Neither do I. I've owned two Audis in the past, a GT Coupe and a 100, both FWD. They just didn't feel that great when driving and I didn't feel in full control. I much prefer RWD cars as they just feel better and track straighter.
However, the things about Audis is that the faster you drive them on the highway, the better they feel and the more responsive they become. I assume this is because they are designed for the Autobahn's high speed touring so the suspension, steering, etc. really become optimal the faster you drive.
The audio/radio/antenna systems in Audis just don't work well in the U.S. for some reason, and I could never get my front wheels to be aligned correctly after many tries. I really like the way the current A4 looks but doubt I would buy one.
ninman
Hall of Fame
I've said it once, and I'll say it twice, I AM NOT CHINESE, I LIVE IN CHINA, I AM NOT FROM CHINA, I DO NOT DRIVE A CAR IN CHINA, I DO NOT OWN A CAR IN CHINA. I AM FROM THE UK, I LEARNED HOW TO DRIVE IN THE UK, I DRIVE IN THE UK, GET IT?
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
It depends on the kind of AWD system that's in the car how much and what kind of traction you get and when it kicks in. The disadvantages are in the weight and more mechanical reliability issues. And given the same brakes and tires, a heavier car will take a longer distance and time to come to a stop. Just simple physics.
ninman
Hall of Fame
I personally prefer Front wheel drive, it's better in the snow, more traction, since the engine is pushing the wheels down.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
It doesn't snow where I live so RWD works great for me
There's a very good reason why most sports cars and true sports sedans (e.g. BMW, etc.) are RWD.
ninman
Hall of Fame
It doesn't snow where I live so RWD works great for me
There's a very good reason why most sports cars and true sports sedans (e.g. BMW, etc.) are RWD.
Yeah I know, my mum owned a RWD Mazda RX-8, it was fun out in the country, but horrible in town. I love the old M3 and M5's though.
Bud
Bionic Poster
The Quattro system is simply excellent. There is no other car that feels as sure-footed as an AWD Audi, IMO. When I used to test them in all climates (snow, ice, rain) they instilled complete confidence.
I imagine the Quattro model's brakes are slightly beefier to compensate for the additional weight.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
The Mazad RX-8 being "horrible in town" is not a function of it being RWD.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
I had the great pleasure of learning how to drive in the snow in a BMW E30 325. The first thing you need no matter whether it is FWD, RWD, or AWD is FOUR (4) Snow Tires.
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
Front engined, FWD cars, and rear engined, RWD cars can be pretty decent in snow with the right tires and proper driving technique. AWD is superior, however.
Bud
Bionic Poster
Another update...
Test driving the vehicle tomorrow... friend checked it out today and stated it is in nearly perfect condition... inside and out
Found out the engine was replaced in 2007 by Audi... at a cost of 9K to Audi (since it was still under warranty). There was some issue with the camshaft. The current motor has 36K miles on it. Clutch was also replaced at the same time in 2007.
I imagine if the entire engine was replaced in 07... that probably included the turbocharger/intercooler
Test driving the vehicle tomorrow... friend checked it out today and stated it is in nearly perfect condition... inside and out
Found out the engine was replaced in 2007 by Audi... at a cost of 9K to Audi (since it was still under warranty). There was some issue with the camshaft. The current motor has 36K miles on it. Clutch was also replaced at the same time in 2007.
I imagine if the entire engine was replaced in 07... that probably included the turbocharger/intercooler
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Tina
Banned
I prefer the Hyundai genesis ^_^.
http://www.hyundaiusa.com/genesis-coupe/
http://www.hyundaiusa.com/genesis-coupe/
Test driving the vehicle tomorrow... friend checked it out today and stated it is in nearly perfect condition... inside and out
Found out the engine was replaced in 2007 by Audi... at a cost of 9K to Audi (since it was still under warranty). There was some issue with the camshaft. The current motor has 36K miles on it. Clutch was also replaced at the same time in 2007.
I imagine if the entire engine was replaced in 07... that probably included the turbocharger
That's a sweet deal - 36K is a pretty reasonable mileage on everything.
retrowagen
Hall of Fame
Test driving the vehicle tomorrow... friend checked it out today and stated it is in nearly perfect condition... inside and out
Found out the engine was replaced in 2007 by Audi... at a cost of 9K to Audi (since it was still under warranty). There was some issue with the camshaft. The current motor has 36K miles on it. Clutch was also replaced at the same time in 2007.
I imagine if the entire engine was replaced in 07... that probably included the turbocharger/intercooler
Probably just the longblock - meaning the engine, minus anything bolted to it (which would include the turbocharger).
Sounds potentially like a good thing; however, it begs the question: if the original engine failed catestrophically at 60+k miles, will the next one fail within the next 25+k (if it already has 36k on it)? This is the sort of tough (and very realistic) question any potential VW/Audi 1.8 or 2.0T buyer needs to ask him or herself.
zapvor
G.O.A.T.
me too. it will beat the audi any day
Tina
Banned
Test driving the vehicle tomorrow... friend checked it out today and stated it is in nearly perfect condition... inside and out
Found out the engine was replaced in 2007 by Audi... at a cost of 9K to Audi (since it was still under warranty). There was some issue with the camshaft. The current motor has 36K miles on it. Clutch was also replaced at the same time in 2007.
I imagine if the entire engine was replaced in 07... that probably included the turbocharger/intercooler
How was your test driving, bud?
Tina
Banned
At least, we have one thing in common. I will go for sliver color.
Storm_Kyori
Hall of Fame
I have to say i like the older model better as far as looks go. I have a 2000 passat 3.0 5 speed and really wished it has the audi a4 back-end. I really like that little lip on the back.
